The Judas Goat

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Spenser has gone to London -- and not to see the Queen. He's gone to track down a bunch of bombers who've blown away his client's wife and kids. His job is to catch them. Or kill them. His client isn't choosy.

But there are nine killers to one Spenser -- long odds. Hawk helps balance the equation. The rest depends on a wild plan. Spenser will get one of the terrorists to play Judas Goat -- to lead him to others. Trouble is, he hasn't counted on her being very blond, very beautiful and very dangerous.

"Spenser is Boston's answer to James Bond...with a little Sam Spade and Nero Wolfe thrown in...Irreverent, witty, worldly...makes for fast, amusing reading." (Pittsburgh Press)©1992 Robert B. Parker; (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

Praise for Robert B. Parker and The Spenser Novels

“One of the greatest series in the history of the American detective story!”—The New York Times

“[Spenser is] the sassiest, funniest, most-enjoyable-to-read-about private eye today.”—The Cincinnati Post

“Spenser novels are addictive.”—The Denver Post

“They just don't make private eyes tougher or funnier. The dialogue sparkles.”—People

“Robert B. Parker has taken his place beside Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross Macdonald.”—The Boston Globe

“Spenser probably had more to do with changing the private eye from a coffin-chaser to a full-bodied human being than any other detective hero.”—Chicago Sun-Times

“Parker is now the best writer of this kind of fiction in business today.”—The New Republic

“The toughest, funniest, wisest private eye in the field these days.”—The Houston Post

Good book in a great Series

Spenser and Hawk are super. I’m going back and listening to the books that I read a few years ago. This one is good, it’s just not great....and there are some really good books in the series. Our Hero’s are the kind of men that are multi-dimensional and fun to get to know. 4 stars from me!

just the right level of intrepid

Fun detective story. First I've ever read or listened to though, so my opinion may be trained. Really great narration! My only criticism is that, it was occasionally more "raunchy" at times than I care for - it wasn't without purpose for the characters in question though.

Good story, flat, uninspired reading.

I’ve been a fan of Robert B. Parker since his books appeared in print. His Spenser series is a favorite of mine. Judas Goat deserves a MUCH better reader! Why on earth did Audible choose Michael Prichard? When I first read Judas Goat in print, I couldn’t put it down until I finished. This narrator took an exciting novel and made it sound like a lecture. I won’t purchase any more Audible books narrated by M. Prichard.

THE PERFECT RECIPE...

ONCE AGAIN, I HAVE REVISITED ONE OF ROBERT PARKER'S EARLIER SPENSER NOVELS, AND THIS ONE IS A GEM. THE JUDAS GOAT BRINGS ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A GOOD SPENSER NOVEL TOGETHER IN A PERFECT RECIPE OF ACTION, SUSPENSE, HUMOR, AND HUMAN INSIGHT THAT HAVE MADE SPENSER SUCH A POPULAR CHARACTER FOR SO MANY YEARS. THE PLOT HERE INVOLVES SPENSER TRACKING DOWN TERRORISTS, AND TAKES HIM FROM THE UNITED STATES TO ENGLAND, AND ACROSS EUROPE. HIS LETHAL COMPANION HAWK JOINS UP WITH HIM HALF-WAY THROUGH THE STORY, AND THINGS REALLY TAKE OFF FROM THERE. THE PARTNERING OF SPENSER AND HAWK IS PERFECTLY WRITTEN, A RICH PATOIS OF HUMOROUS BANTERING AND THOUGHTFUL INSIGHT IS REVEALED THROUGH THESE TWO CHARACTERS THAT ARE AT ONCE ALIKE AND YET EXPONENTAILLY DIFFERENT. THEY ARE TWO SIDES TO A VERY DANGEROUS COIN. ROBERT PARKER'S WRITING SHINES IN THE EXPLORATION OF HIS MAIN CHARACTERS; AND HE MANAGES TO DO IT WITHOUT BEING HEAVY, OR WEIGHING THE STORY DOWN IN EXPOSITION. LIKE A GOOD STEW, YOU MAY NOT REALIZE ALL THE INGREDIENTS THAT HAVE GONE INTO MAKING IT, BUT IT TASTES GREAT JUST THE SAME. AND ONCE AGAIN, MICHAEL PRICHARD DOES A STELLAR JOB BRINGING PARKER'S WORDS TO LIFE. HIS PERFORMANCE OF THESE SPENSER NOVELS ARE BY FAR MY FAVORITE.

Entertaining

Spenser novels are not great literature, but they can be entertaining. I've always enjoyed narration by Michael Prichard and for me, there is a comfort in hearing his familiar voice.